Outdoors

Outdoor activities abound in the Branson area and are one of the many reasons why Branson is the great family friendly destination that it is. Many of the outdoor activities mentioned here will provide an opportunity to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation.

Four Wheeling

Discover the Ozarks by touring in a side-by-side UTV on guided trail rides. Check out Hog Wild Adventures located just south of Branson. If you are looking for something fun and unique, this is a blast!

Caves

Let’s go caving, or more properly known as spelunking! Talking Rocks Cavern is the most convenient cave located in Branson West. In addition, there is Silver Dollar City’s Marvel Cave, Cosmic Caverns found between Branson and Eureka Springs, and Mystic Caverns located just south of Harrison, Arkansas. Drive a golf cart through Lost Canyon Cave, just south of Branson at Top of the Rock.

Ziplines

Fly through the trees and catch an adrenaline rush on a number of ziplines around town. Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park has added a new zipline course to its existing Vigilante Extreme Ziprider. There are 5 other zipline experiences available around the Branson area. Have fun flying through the Ozark Mountains.

Hiking

If you’re into hiking, there are a number of trails to enjoy. One natural escape is the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area, which is a wooded and rugged 130 acres of Ozark goodness.

Explore The Ruth and Paul Henning

Conservation Area, which features 5 trails on 1,534 acres, all ranging from .3 to 3.4 miles. The 2.2 mile Table Rock Lakeshore Trail is a pleasant walk from the Dewey Short Visitor Center to the Showboat Branson Belle area. Many other trail areas exist in the Ozarks.

And So Much More

Discover one of the best nature parks in the country located just south of Branson at Dogwood Canyon, which features thousands of recreational acres. Take a tram tour, fly fish, bike ride or just stroll the trails of Dogwood Canyon. You will be amazed by this outdoor paradise, developed by Bass Pro’s Johnny Morris.

Join locals and tourists alike at Moonshine Beach, north of Table Rock Dam, to relax and enjoy the waters of Table Rock Lake. Who said you need a coast for a beach? If water isn’t your focus, go horsebacking in the Ozark Mountains at several locations around Branson, so saddle up!

Aside from these popular activities, there is an abundance of outdoor fun waiting including mountain biking, camping, golfing, and plenty of lake activities including boating, and fishing.

Golfing

Branson and the Tri-Lakes area continues to be a strong golfing destination, with some of the newest and most challenging courses in the nation. Some of these stunning courses are chiseled out of the Ozark Mountains, and offer 9 hole executive courses to 18 hole championship courses. Most courses provide private and group lessons by PGA Certified Pros, as well as a full range of equipment rentals. Many stay open year-round, so make sure you check with your favorite course for their availability.

Ozark Lakes

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake, spreading across Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, offers some of the world’s best bass fishing, several commercial marinas, and over 850 miles of shoreline. When it was completed, Table Rock Dam was a marvel. The dam itself is nearly 6500 feet long and stands over 250 feet above the stream beneath it. Be sure to visit it and the Dewey Short Visitor Center right by the dam.

Lake Taneycomo

Since completion of the Table Rock Dam, the headwaters of Lake Taneycomo that pour from the bottom of Table Rock Lake, make Taneycomo a cold-water lake, perfect for trout fishing. In fact, the lake is stocked with nearly 400,000 ten to twelve inch trout each year. Visit the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery at the base of Table Rock Dam.

Bull Shoals Lake

Built downstream from the Powersite Dam in 1952, Bull Shoals Lake offers pristine views, mile after mile of undeveloped shoreline, clear waters (perfect for scuba diving), and amazing bass and walleye fishing. The Bassmaster Elite Tournament and the White River Electric Cooperative Fishing Tournament are just a couple of tournaments to frequent Bull Shoals.